• Reduce Holiday Spending

    Drop in to the nature center to find ideas and resources for cutting holiday spending costs and toll on the environment, like spending more time with friends and family! We are also welcoming everyone to come help us decorate the nature center for the holidays! This program does not require registration.

  • Beginner Birding

    Beginner Birding

    Calling all beginner birders! Bring your binoculars if you have them and we will check out what birds are around this time of year at Big Bend. This will be a short start-and-stop hike. We will meet at the park office and caravan to Big Bend. This is free and geared toward ages 13+. Please reserve your spot in advance …

  • Mud Pond Hike

    Start December off right with this easy hike. We will start at the nature center and take the nature trail out to Mud Pond trail and loop around to the wetland area and visit a beaver lodge on our way back to the nature center. This hike will be about 3 miles. Please sign up in advance and wear appropriate …

  • Meet our animal Ambassadors

    Join an educator to take a tour of our nature center and get to know our animal ambassadors! We will discuss each animal and the story of how they came to us, why we have them, their current needs, and talk about their very specific personalities and behaviors. We have turtles, snakes, and owls, oh my! Please come on time …

  • Wrapping Paper Collage

    Join a park educator to learn how to recycle and reuse wrapping paper while making colorful collages, gift tags, or decorations. This program is a hands-on way to explore creativity and sustainability. Program is free and for all ages. No registration Required.

  • Full Moon Hike

    Join a park educator on a beginner hike and if the clouds cooperate, we’ll get to enjoy the splendor of the full “Cold Moon” rising above the mountains! This hike is free, is family friendly and well-behaved dogs on a 6 foot or shorter leash are welcome. This hike will not go the full 3.5 miles, we will be going …

  • Homeschool: Take A Hike

    Join an educator on a Nature Walk where we will talk about winter hiking safety, leave no trace, our park’s resident beavers, the migrating birds, and various tracks we will most likely see. Please dress appropriately for the weather with warm clothes and hiking shoes. If it rains, we will have an indoor program about beavers. This hike will be …

  • Wiggly Wanderers

    Wiggly Wanderers

    Wiggly Wanderers is a casual and fun program that is offered to walking toddlers, carriable babies and their caregivers. This is a beginner’s hike/wander series with not too much distance for toddlers who are ready to move and caregivers who are willing and able to baby wear and/or carry their toddler if their legs get too tired. Strollers will not …

  • Winterize Your Boots

    Drop by the Nature Center from 11-2 to learn about conditioning, preparing, and storing boots for winter. Free and for all ages, no registration required.

  • Block Printing Cards & Needling Felting Ornaments

    Come to the nature center to prepare for the holidays by printing your own holiday card or needle felting your own ornaments! This program is free and for ages 13+. Participation is limited; you must register at least 24 hours in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

  • Baker to Moreau Overlook

    Join an educator on a moderate-hard 2.5 mile hike from Baker Trail to Moreau Overlook with a beautiful view of our lake from above. Please wear the appropriate attire for the weather with water-resistant hiking shoes, layers of warm clothes, micro spikes or snowshoes if we need them. We have limited micro spikes and snowshoes to borrow. Bring a snack …